A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declined a request by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to delay proceedings in his ongoing defamation case involving President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar ruled against the application on Monday and directed that the trial continue as scheduled.
Sowore is facing prosecution in a case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations that he made defamatory remarks against President Tinubu on social media platforms.
During the court session, Sowore’s counsel, Reuben Adakole, asked the court to adjourn the matter until after the judiciary’s annual vacation, which is expected to last about two months.
The defence argued that the request became necessary because the lead counsel in the matter, Olumide Fusika (SAN), was currently outside the country attending to family issues and would not be available to proceed with the defence.
However, the application was strongly challenged by counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who urged the court to reject the request.
Kehinde told the court that the case had already suffered several delays and argued that another lengthy adjournment would further slow down the proceedings.
He noted that the court had previously granted an accelerated hearing in line with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), adding that granting a two-month break would contradict that earlier directive.
After listening to both parties, Justice Umar refused the application and maintained the court’s position on speedy hearing of the matter.
The judge subsequently fixed July 16, 2026, for the continuation of Sowore’s defence.
